About i.am.angel Foundation
will.i.am launched his private foundation in 2009 (formerly known as i.am angel foundation, presently known as i.am.giving foundation) around the idea of providing assistance to needy students wanting to attend college through a program entitled "i.am scholarship." In 2012, in response to individuals, corporations, and funders expressing interest in supporting similar charitable activities, will.i.am created "i.am.angel foundation", which is seeking public charity status with the appropriate taxing authorities. The foundation will be striving to trans4m lives through education, inspiration and opportunity, including by providing funding for other charitable activities, such as i.am.College Track, i.am.scholarship, i.am.STEAM and i.am.home.
ABOUT THE i.am boyle heights center
The foundation's most recent venture is a partnership with the CA Endowment and College Track that will help to TRANS4M the Boyle Heights community. The i.am boyle heights center will offer wide-ranging programs so that participants are provided with the resources needed to get into and graduate from college, learn marketable and employable skills in the arts and digital media, and are guided towards the careers of tomorrow in science, technology engineering and mathematics. Each component of the i.am boyle heights center will be designed to educate, enlighten and inspire members of the community to be proud to say "i.am boyle heights".
ABOUT our partnership with College Track and the California Endowment
The feature component of the i.am boyle heights center will be i.am College Track.
College Track is a national educational organization that empowers students from underserved communities to reach their dreams of a college degree. College Track actively engages students over the course of eight years, from the summer before high school through college graduation. 100% of College Track seniors graduate from high school, more than 90% are admitted to a four-year university, and 75% of College Track students are currently enrolled, or have graduated from, college. Over 85% of College Track students will be the first person in their family to earn a college degree.
The i.am boyle heights center will offer College Track programming to 50 ambitious students annually over an 8 year cycle starting in August of 2012. The students will come from Roosevelt High School.
ABOUT THE i.am scholarship program
In 2009, will.i.am launched the i.am scholarship program. The program works with effective partner organizations like Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network, Scholastic America and College Track to identify qualifying students in need of financial support. i.am angel selects students with a proven record of accomplishment and gives them the opportunity to CHASE their dreams through scholarship.
To date the i.am scholarship program has directly invested more than $500,000.00 in America’s future.
"I know my purpose is to continue to spire young people because it’s just going to keep inspiring me back. I want to do my part. I want to invest in America’s future and I want to send you to college. i.am here to let you know that you can be anything you want to be. You are the future of the world." - will.i.am
ABOUT THE i.am home program
In 2010, during the height of the foreclosure crisis will.i.am launched the i.am home program. The program works with effective partner organizations to promote financial literacy education and provide home owner assistance grants to support qualifying families in need.
"The reason I started i.am home is because I come from poverty. I survived and came out of it because you guys support my music. My one day dream was to have a house, buy a house for my mom and take care of family. Now that I’ve achieved that goal I can’t forget what it was like – living on the verge. Helping out families in need is a personal venture. Something I feel I need to do." – will.i.am
To date i.am home has provided more than $400,000 in home owner assistance grants.